Cardio-respiratory fitness and muscular fitness levels of Scottish youth and their associations with physical activity

The purpose of this study was to examine the current health status of a sample of Scottish youth in relation to physical fitness. A sample of 76 children aged 10.2 ± 0.56 years had indices of fatness, physical activity, cardio-respiratory fitness and muscular fitness assessed. A high percentage of participants were found to have unhealthy levels of cardio-respiratory fitness and explosive strength (82.9% and 81.6%, respectively). A positive (β = 0.242) although weak (R2 = 0.39) overall relationship was observed between physical activity and cardio-respiratory fitness, though was stronger in the boys than the girls (R2 = 0.725 vs. R2 = 0.347). The data suggests that interventions improving physical activity participation, weight status and physical fitness are essential prior to adolescence in order to improve health and well-being.